Wheelchair-bound retired wireman and active sevadar Sohan Singh with his son Surjan Singh

In the 1960s, Sohan Singh used to run the 10,000 meter race in the inter-state electricity board sports. The retired wireman was a man on the go, ever willing to walk the extra mile.

Not anymore. The 76-old former staff of Lembaga Letrik Negara (LLN), now known as Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), is now wheelchair bound after his lower leg was removed in a surgery.

Moving about became an issue. Living in Kuantan, the state capital of Pahang – a Malaysian state facing the South China Sea – he found it difficult to reach the Darbar Sahib in the local gurdwara, as it was located on the second floor.

Asked what is the next major task before the GMC, Dr Dharshan said it is to decide on the fate of a 3/4 acre land in the town centre, either to be disposed to the highest bidder or developed into a commercial property or build a community hall for the Sikh community.

“This will be decided by the committee members soon,” he said.

The land was donated to the gurdwara some four decades ago by the late Hari Singh.

6 COMMENTS

On another matter, Dr Dharshan said the committee would soon decide on the fate of a 0.3ha plot of land owned by the gurdwara in the town centre. He said the options were either to sell it to the highest bidder, develop it into a commercial property or use it to build a community hall for the Sikh community.

As regards please refer to my earlier comments dated 12.7.16. However it would be interesting to know about any conditions which may have been prescribed by the donor of the land which was donated to the gurdwara some four decades ago. If there were any wishes of the donor then the options regarding usage/disposal of the land may be limited to comply with the wishes of the donor as any change may need the descendants of the donor. It may be best that the Management Committee of GSK contact and bring the descendants of the donor and take their views before reaching any decision. This will avoid any legal case if the decision is not in compliance with any specified wishes of the donor.
It has been my experience that most Management Committees fail to maintain old documents and then make assumptions which may be wrong and result in possible litigation.
IT MUST BE REMEMBERED THAT WHILE THE LAND MAY HAVE HAD LITTLE VALUE AT THE TIME OF THE DONATION FORTY YEARS AGO TODAY IT IS PRIME PIECE OF LAND AND DESCENDANTS WOULD WANT TO ENSURE THAT THE WISHES OF THEIR ELDERS ARE RESPECTED FAILING WHICH THEY MAY OPT FOR LEGAL ACTION TO NULLIFY THE DONATION AND TAKE BACK THE LAND.
BEST TO PRE-EMPT ANY SUCH UNPLEASANT SITUATION. As the GSK GMC are all Professionals I am reasonalbly certaint they would have taken this aspect in their deliberations regarding he land usage/disposal.
WAHE GURU JI KA KHALSA WAHE GURU JI KI FATEH

My thanks for the support of Sdr Gurcharan Singh Ji,
It is humbly suggested to the GMC President that a COMMITTEE OF TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL EXPERTS BE APPOINTED TO PLAN THE USAGE OF THE LAND. THERE ARE SEVERAL SIKH TECHNICAL & FINANCIAL EXPERTS WHO MAY BE WILLING TO PROVIDE THEIR EXPERTISE FOR THIS NOBLE CAUSE AT NOMINAL COSTS.
I am willing to provide my audit expertise in AUDIT OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS if called upon.
WAHEGURU JI ALWAYS ASSIST THOSE WITH NOBLE AND SELFLESS INTENTIONS.

It is my hope that the Kuantan GMC will not decide to sell the strategically located 3/4 acre property which can be developed into a commercial property which can incorporate a community hall for the Sikh community.

The commercial building can then be rented to aspiring Sikh businessmen/entrepreneurs and professionals to have their offices initially at nominal rates for short periods and then the rentals increased to market rates. This will assist the Sanggat whose professional members can be in one place and those with business ideas to venture in the business world as all some need is a helping hand. The helping hand can be provided by the Gurdwara resources which can help them to become successful and who then can help others.

MONEY SHOULD BE FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF THE SANGGAT AND ORGANIZING KIRTAN AND LANGGAR IS NOT THE ONLY WAYS. ASSISTING IN PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION-HEALTH-BUSINESS-ETC IS ALSO WITHIN THE USE OF SANGGAT’S FUNDS.

MAY WAHEGURU JI PROVIDE WISDOM TO THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES AND SANGGAT.

I was going to say the same, but decided against.But I fully agre with Sr Gursharan Singh ji, that such would also provide for long term income greatly needed by Gurduara sahib and support the sangat in developing business acumen.

My congratulations to Management Committee of Kuantan Gurdwara Sahib Ji for the newly installed lift for those who need it. JB Gurdwara Sahib has upgraded its lift to the latest model and design.

Sardar Gurcharan Singh Ji is not alone in his disappointment when he mentioned in his comment dated 10.7.16 that Management of too many Gurdwaras ignore the plight of the disabled and the elderly in providing easy access to Darbar Sahib Ji where it is located at higher levels. He also had offered a Gurdwara RM20K but on inquiry he was informed in no uncertain terms that the lift was NOT their priority but the donation was welcome.

I have been raising the need of a lift for the PJ Gurdwara Sahib for over ten years even when their is no shortage of funds which currently is estimated to amount to over RM2.6 million.

Every Committee leadership for over a decade has promised to provide the lift but the only excuse provided is that WE ARE DOING OUR BEST AND WILL THE LIFT WILL BE PROVIDED VERY SOON.

I some times wonder how the Management Committees assist the Sanggat especially those who need easy access due to their age or disabilities. May be none of those in the Committee have family members who need such facilities and pray that they never need them but not all are so lucky.

It is my hope that the Kuantan GMC will not decide to sell the strategically located 3/4 acre property which can be developed into a commercial property which can incorporate a community hall for the Sikh community.

The commercial building can then be rented to aspiring Sikh businessmen/entrepreneurs and professionals to have their offices initially at nominal rates for short periods and then the rentals increased to market rates. This will assist the Sanggat whose professional members can be in one place and those with business ideas to venture in the business world as all some need is a helping hand. The helping hand can be provided by the Gurdwara resources which can help them to become successful and who then can help others.

MONEY SHOULD BE FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF THE SANGGAT AND ORGANIZING KIRTAN AND LANGGAR IS NOT THE ONLY WAYS. ASSISTING IN PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION-HEALTH-BUSINESS-ETC IS ALSO WITHIN THE USE OF SANGGAT’S FUNDS.

MAY WAHEGURU JI PROVIDE WISDOM TO THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES AND SANGGAT.

Well done Gurduara Committee.Very good milestone.Too many ignore the plight of the disabled.

I had offered a Gurduara 20 grand Six, months later, when I enquired why the estimations etc has not been sought.I was informed in no uncertain terms that the lift was NOT their priority, but I can give them the donation.

Having seen, observed and heard much about their antics , I made clear NO MONEY would be given until work is commenced.If they cannot do now, I will give three years, then I reserve the right to use my intended donation for any other purpose.

Since,I heard many cooked up stories , often through the many many fools,around who came along and pick up the typical Punjabi “chugliyan” -but none had the intelligence to advice, commence your work and we can then see if the money comes or not; or match the money committed and get the work done.

It is now almost 7 years.I have donated half the money to needy etc.But I am happy to help and re-negotiate but based on facts and honest heart to heart discussion.Have no time for small talk.

Again, Gurduara sahib Kuantan, truly human service for the phyisically disabled.Guru Rakha with such humane seva.

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